President Obama visits the Everglades on Earth Day

President Barack Obama visited the Everglades on Wednesday to talk about climate control on Earth Day.

There was a lot of back and forth about whether Wednesday's remarks would even happen. But before an intimate crowd, the President painted a dire portrait of the Everglades -- a place he hopes his daughters and eventual grandchildren can visit.

The President spoke for 15 minutes and laid out his plan to battle global warming, specifically the sea level rise right here in Florida.

President Obama said the more than 1 million acres of land help contribute to Florida's $82 billion tourism industry. But as sea levels rise, it will impact the fresh waters of the Everglades.

"South Florida gets drinking water from this are. $82 billion in tourism in the state depends on it. It can't be denied or edited," said President Obama.

The President is proposing $240 million in the 2016 budget to help maintain and protect the ecosystem. He is calling this a bipartisan issue and not really taking jabs at those who don't acknowledge global warming within the government.

Florida Governor Rick Scott is not buying the idea of climate change the way it's been painted. But, the President says this is not an issue where we can bury our heads in the sand.

We spoke with Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell who oversees the Everglades State Park. Jewell told us the federal government is committed to funding the various Everglades restoration projects that are going on here. She made that promise to future generations who could be most affected by global warming and the impact it has in the Everglades.

Fifth and sixth grade students from South Florida got up close and personal with the Florida Everglades on Wednesday.

"I think it's a big opportunity to see all of the animals and to learn about how they live in the environment and learn about the animals," said fifth grade student Isabella Valenzia.

Animals - like alligators, turtles and rare birds - are all wildlife that call the Everglades home. It's a home that park director Johnathan Jarvis says has been impacted by global warming.

"If you look at historical photographs of what the coast lines have looked like, with the mangrove swamps moved, yes, I've seen the impacts of climate change," said Jarvis.

It's those changes that Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell is working to repair.

"The Corps. of Engineers has a major role to play in the Everglades restoration, and they are putting together plans to approach Congress on the next round of funding," said Jewell.

It is funding Florida Governor Rick Scott claims the feds are falling short on, but Jewell disagreed.

"The Governor of Florida and I have been in touch multiple times in the course of my time in this office," said Jewell. "I will say we share a common commitment to supporting Everglades restoration."